Toh, Allah yayi. My drafts don finish. 

Your case now is with the Lord.

The warm water cascaded from the shower head, embracing Asma in its warmth as it fell on her body, the steam heavy, filling up the space. Her hair was moist, but she cared not. Instead, she flicked her eyes shut, welcoming the hot water, biting her skin, doing more harm than intended. She welcomed it, taking a huge breath as she stood there.

Her mind played with the memories of everything that has happened leading her up to this point, and she could see the images playing right before her eyes, haunting her. Every bit of it flooded in her mind, just as vividly as it had when it woke her up in the middle of the night, a routine nightmare that she has gotten accustomed to, welcoming the insomnia that has now become a part of her life.

It did not help that the entire place felt suffocating to her—not just the room or the house, the palace entirely.

She had no idea how long she stood under the water, but one point, she found herself taking in another sharp breath, and she could hear her mind playing the sound of the ticking clock, almost like a reminder that life outside that very room she had locked herself, continued. A second more, a minute more, and hours...life still continues.

She stepped out of the en suite, the shower turned off and now all wrapped up in a purple robe as she made her way to the adjoined walk in closet of the room, picking out her outfit of choice for the day after a bit of deliberations, deciding against the first outfit she chose, deeming it too simple. Once satisfied with her choice of clothing, she settled on the stool by the vanity table, then went about her morning routine. From lathering on the body cream, to every bit of skin care she goes through.

When she was done, she took her time to do her makeup, dedicating a bit more time to her favorite oxblood lipstick, loving the surge of confidence it gave her. When she was done, she then settled into her outfit which she had chosen before hand, her entire action meticulous from donning it on, to her choice of jewelries, down to the shoes.

Once fully dressed in the kabbasa smoked she loved, she walked back to her room, removing the phone that is now fully charged, she stepped out of the room. Her gaze yawed to the room at the farther end of the hallway, and her eyes narrowed slightly, not directed towards the room per se, but to the owner that is nowhere to be seen, not that she expected to see him. He must be out already. After all, she has not seen him in two days nor does she care—despite living under the same roof. Neither was interested in running into the other.

Dissolving her glare, she turned around and then descended the spiral staircase, her steps slow, and graceful, the soft pat of her shoe against the glistening marble floor resonating, making her presence known. Even before she reached the bottom of the stairs, her gaze fell on that of the workers, running around to do their task for the day. Based on her knowledge, there should be about fifteen of them in the house, excluding the fadawa outside but just those that take care of the house.

The minute she reached the bottom of the staircase, those around the area stopped what they were doing, then crouched down low to greet her. "Ranki dade, barka da safe."

Her lips curled into a small smile. "Barka," She offered them a curt nod, repeating the action with the other workers she had met on her way to the dinning room where breakfast await her. The maids were quick to serve her the moment she settled down, all eager to please the Princess.

And while they were bringing the array of food warmers and the finest china, Asma's gaze yawed to her phone, taking note of the time that read 10:24AM. She clicked her tongue, counting the seconds in her head, accompanied by her index finger tapping the table. Any minute now, she thought, knowing in exactly a minute from then, the person would make an appearance.

She was right. For the moment the time read 10:25AM, as usual without a failure ever, a salaam reached her ears as the person made an appearance. She tilted her head as she answered the salaam, her gaze falling on the expected person.

The woman came to stand beside her, her lips curling into a warm smile before her voice came. "Ranki dade, barka da Safiya."

"Barka dai," Asma breathed out for the nth time that morning, her attention now settled on the food warmers in front of her as the food was served. A maid made a move to serve her plate, but she held a hand up to stop her, dismissing them all. Once they were gone, Asma's voice then came. "Breakfast?" She offered, as she opened one of the food warmers, then began to serve herself.

The woman shook her head politely. "I already had my breakfast before arriving,"

"Of course, you had." Asma mused in a not so impressed tone. Sighing, she then continued. "So, how long are you here to keep an eye on me for today, Miss Sakina?" She asked, almost in a dismissive tone that was anything but nice. But truthfully, that was extent to which she was able to afford being nice without seeming rude. "Or for the usual time?"

Sakina released a small breath, her smile slanting downwards into a small one—now accustomed to the Princess's character having worked with her for a few days already. "I am not keeping an eye on you." She said, repeating the same words she already had countless times.

Asma chuckled, humor lacing it though there was something underlying. "And how am I supposed to believe my dear husband's most trusted man's wife is not here to keep an eye on me?" She settled her gaze on the woman with an arched brow. "Did he send you here because he cares for me?" She added, her words sarcastic though her smile remained present.

She truly is trying to be nice to this woman, if she wanted to be rude, she would. But, she is playing it as nice as she could, despite her annoyance evident. How else is she supposed to take Amir Qasim sending in the wife of his right hand man to be her aide even before he returned? If she was not certain before, then after her encounter with him two days ago, she was more than aware he would never do anything in her favor.

He has a human CCTV following her around, how else is she suppose to feel and react?

Sakina's warm smile did not waver, unbothered by Asma's character. "I am here to be of help to you in the palace. To help you get accustomed to life here, and assist you in any way you need. I follow your instructors." Asma would have fell for how genuine her words sounded, if not that she is not one to be fooled easily.

"If that is the case," Asma's voice dropped, her expression dead serious as she held her gaze. "Then quit."

Sakina did not waver as well. "I cannot, Your Highness," She said, "I only have your best interest in heart."

Asma chuckled once again, shaking her head. "Kar ki maida ni yarinya mana, Sakina." She mused once again, settling her attention back on her food. "How long has it been since you started working here?"

"Two weeks now. Since you were conveyed."

"And how many times did you not report my day's activity to him?" It came out as a casual question, but there was a certain edge to Asma's tone that showed despite her calm character, she truly is anything but.

When silence came from Sakina's side, Asma found herself smiling once again. She is right after all.

She met the woman's gaze again, "Sit," She gestured to the chair opposite her. "You will need to eat and have energy to be able to report today's activity, because it will be a long one."

Sakina's brows drew in, confused by Asma's later statements and she parted her lips to ask what the day will entail. However, when she was met by the woman's pointed gaze, she swallowed down her words, then went around to settle on the assigned chair. As Asma seemed relieved by the settlement, and carried about having her breakfast, Sakina found her voice again.

"If you do not mind me asking--"

"Then do not ask," Asma cut her off. Once she swallowed down the food in her mouth, she looked up, then offered Sakina another smile. "Just kidding. Go ahead and ask. I might as well help with as much details as you want, right?" Asma knew she would not be able to send the woman away easily, but she can make her quit if she wants to by making her life hell.

But, she was not willing to go that far...yet. She can report to Amir Qasim all she wants, it seems harmless now. That does not mean she will make her life easy though. Her presence feels suffocating to Asma, so, she might as well return the favor. After all, she always does. She always repays the favor she owes someone, whether good or bad.

Sakina ignored the Princess's words, then asked. "What do you have planned for the day?" She asked, giving the Princess another onceover. In the two weeks she has known her, Asma has never only failed when it comes to dressing up, she always dresses to impress. Today though, she seemed to stand out more than ever. It was obvious she has big plans for the day.

"What you have been bothering me about since I came here," Asma found the woman's gaze, "I am going to visit the Queens, of course."

Sakina's brows drew in suspicion, wondering what the Princess has in mind. Sure enough, she has been bothering her to go and visit them all, and greet them as well since she has never done that since she arrived. She had only met Giwa when she was conveyed, and never again since then.

As per traditions, she is supposed to go to their chambers and greet them, but Asma has turned it down every time it was brought up, resorting to locking herself up in her room and enjoying her time alone. It is weird she would suddenly propose it out of the blue.

"What changed your mind?" Sakina asked, her words cautious.

Asma shrugged. "I am bored." She said simply, then carried about eating her food. Before the curious Sakina can vocalize another question—which Asma is sure she would, she then beat her to it. "What is that man up to?"

Confused, Sakina's brows drew in, "Which man?"

"Who else?" Asma swallowed the food she had in her mouth, then met the woman's gaze. "Le connard," She uttered oh so easily, switching tongues like it is a second nature of hers. However, as amusing as she found it, Sakina still seemed to be in the dark, so, she released an exaggerated sigh then added. "The one that signs your paycheck."

Sakina's lips parted in response, realization now dawning on her. "Oh." She blinked. "You mean, the Prince?"

"Yes" Asma nodded before her lips curled into the fakest smile out there, more colorful words following. "Le connard, salaud, enfoire, espece de pourriture..." She waved her hand, a tight smile dancing on her lips, "all of the above."

Sakina could only stare at the woman with drawn in brows and confusion filling her to the brim. She has no idea what the woman just said, but judging from the creepy smile on her face and the way she said it, it should not be something good.

The woman made a mental note to start learning French because of the said Princess that seems to enjoy casually tossing French words into her conversations.

Asma, well aware that the woman does not understand a thing she said then added. "It is only fair I know what he is up to, since he knows every detail of my day as well. Right?"

Sakina blinked, then shook her head. "I do not know what he is up to..." When she noticed Asma's easy going eyes began to narrow slightly as the amusement began to waver, she then found herself correcting her words. "I do not know the details, but the Prince seemed to be out for his first council meeting since returning. And I think he would stop by the Polo Club later on." She said, spilling under the intimidating gaze of the Princess.

Asma's smile returned. "Good thing I will not run into him today as well." After another bite, she deemed herself full, and then took a few sips of her tea before she pushed the chair back, getting on her feet.

Sakina gave her a questioning look, her gaze shifting from the Princess's face to the food that seemed barely touched. She has noticed the Princess barely eats anything—what she eats is too little to fill up a child, and yet she does not seem to mind.

"I will get my veil, and then we would head out." Asma said, and without waiting for her response, she turned around and walked out of the dinning room—the sound of her shoes against the floor the only sound being heard.

Just as Asma started making her way up the stairs again, someone joined her, the young lady dressed in the same outfit as all the other maids. She glanced over her shoulder first, her frown deepening before she then said to the Princess, her voice low.

"Ranki dade, are you really going to let her still stay by your side?" The girl asked, the obvious distaste in her tone evident. "All she does is keep her eyes on you and report everything you do."

Asma's lips formed the first genuine smile of the day, a small one that was the only thing she could muster. "Karima kenan," She said, her tone softened up compared to how she spoke to Sakina, the fondness in her tone impossible to miss. "She might be of use to me later on. For now, let her do what she wants. She cannot cause me any harm."

Karima's frown deepened. "But..."

Asma stopped midway, making the young girl to stop as well as she turned around to face her, "Enough about me. Tell me, how are you faring here? Are you comfortable?" She asked, switching the topic.

Karima's lips formed a smile. "I am alright. I am just happy to be here with you." She said, her words genuine.

Asma's smile widened slightly, her heart warming at the sight of Karima's smile. Karima, the twenty-year-old girl, is her maid from back home—the only person she was allowed to being that arrived a few days after her. She was glad to have her here, not just for herself, but for Karima's sake as well. She is not one to be close to people, but Karima means a hell lot to her. She is like a little sister that she adores.

And she is also the only person she has in the palace that she can trust, and lean on. You can say she is the only person she can be herself around amidst this suffocating place.

So, Asma's hand reached out to give the girl's shoulder a small squeeze. "Let me know if anything is not to your liking, kinji? If anyone bullies you, let me know. If you want anything, shima let me know. Don't hold back, okay?"

Karima could only nod, a cheeky smile in place that warmed Asma's heart even more if possible. To the girl, so long as she will be accompanying the Princess, she does not mind the situation she finds herself. Be it a palace or the bottom of a well, she will follow her everywhere.

Nodding as well, she then turned around to continue her strides, Karima following closely behind her. "I am going to meet the Queens," Asma declared, her voice low so only Karima could hear. She knows better than anyone that the walls of the palace have ears as well.

"The Queens?" Karima's brows drew in, her lips tugged into a slight frown. "I thought you dislike them."

"I do," Asma breathed out, her shoulders slumping as her smile disappeared, her genuine expression peeking out. "But I cannot survive here alone," Since she is already here, it is too late to back down or regret anything. She has long accepted that. She then looked over her shoulder to meet the girl's gaze. "I am going to form an ally."

~*~

Le connard, salaud, enfoire, espece de pourriture; 

Connard: Jerk, idiot, or asshole.Salaud: Bastard or scumbag.Enfoiré: Bastard or jerk (similar to "connard" but with a stronger sense of  contempt).Espèce de pourriture: Literally meaning "piece of trash" or "scumbag" (used to express deep disdain or disgust).

I have so much i want to write for this book, but i am literally so swamped with so much work from now till the end of this month, and perhaps the beginning of next month as well. Updates from now might be slower than it should be, I apologize in advance.

I will try my best though as always in shaa Allah.

Asma is causing so much turmoil in my head, she does not want to rest. Amir Qasim should be careful really.

It seems like the teams have divided, some love Asma already and some hate her.

I can tell you one thing for sure, she is the main character so there is no point in hating her. You might as well accept it sooner and move on with your life tbh.

She is here to say, and like i said, the original Fulani. From now on, she will play the most role. I mean, it is the picture from her aesthetic that is on the cover. Should that not give out enough evidence?

Tbh you people might as well reread the blurb because it is literally right there!

Hmm drama dey in front man, the games that will start soon, everyone should just know where they stand and get sides for real.

Those rooting for Amir Qasim vs those rooting for Asma. Who will fall first? We shall find out along the way.

The Queensssss should get ready too. Gimbiya Fulani will soon drop by your places. Better accept her well.

Toh this is where i leave you guys. Stay safe.

Love, Jannah Mia.